When I heard people talk about SAD in the winter, I was unaware it was an actual thing.
Apparently, in the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), this disorder is identified as a type of depression . A Major Depressive Disorder with Seasonal Pattern.
As winter approaches and the days get shorter, millions of people once again develop the sadness and loss of energy that is characteristic of Seasonal Affective Disorder.
According to the NHS, Symptoms of SAD can include:
a persistent low mood
a loss of pleasure or interest in normal everyday activities
irritability
feelings of despair, guilt and worthlessness
feeling lethargic (lacking in energy) and sleepy during the day
finding it hard to get up in the morning
craving carbohydrates and gaining weight
It wasn't until the dreaded Covid struck the world and locked us down that I experienced not being able to travel to sunny and lighter places during the worst winter months of January and February. Of course, the whole lockdown thing was enough to make even the brightest of people depresses, but add to it the pitch black half way through the afternoon, and no wonder many of us slumped into a funk at best, and a full on depression at worst.